WASHINGTON – William James Victor Garrison, a resident of Culpeper, Va., was
today charged by federal grand jury with conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act
and with making a false statement to a federal investigative agent during the
course of an investigation. The indictment stems from Garrison’s participation
in illegal elk hunting on the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico
during 2003. The conspiracy charge involving the Lacey Act, a federal wildlife
enforcement statute, carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a
$100,000 fine. The false statement charge carries a maximum penalty of up to
five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Valles Caldera National Preserve is an 8,900 acre property situated inside
of a collapsed crater northwest of Santa Fe, N.M. The preserve is home to
large populations of big game animals including elk, antelope and oryx. Strict
regulations govern the hunting of these animals as they are prized among big
game sportsman. The indictment alleges Garrison and members of his hunting
party shot and killed bull elk, without permits, in violation of state law. At
least one of these elk was then transported through interstate commerce in
violation of the Lacey Act.

Federal authorities have already convicted six other hunters in Virginia and two
additional hunters and guides in New Mexico related to this investigation.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent
unless proven guilty.

The investigation was led by Special Agents of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
for the Western District of Virginia, and the Environmental Crimes Section of
the U.S. Department of Justice. Related cases have been prosecuted by the U.S.
Attorneys’ Offices in both the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of
New Mexico.